[trip style = luxury]
Emirates is one of few airlines in the world to bring fabulous back to flying.
I'm not sure if it's the rose-red lipstick or the swish scarf hats {worn by the female flight attendants}, or the flight network that spans across six continents from Seattle to the Seychelles, but for the past 10 years I've held Emirates in the sky-highest regard. They are the Rolex of roaming, and since March 2012, the most opulent means of reaching the Middle East from the West Coast.
Last week I was invited to fly Emirates for the first time in seat 9D between Seattle and Dubai. Going forward, unless I fly in Richard Branson's private jet---which I imagine must have a Champagne-filled hot tub---95% of air travel will fail to compare, even after my biz class brush with JAL earlier this year.
Before I get into the chic deets, flying Emirates isn't reserved for Mercedes G-Wagon-driving DINKs {double income no kids} and diplomats. It's within reach. A typical economy fare from Seattle to Dubai, the virtual gateway to all Emirates destinations, is around $1,200, a very competitive price for the 14.5hr transcontinental flight. The brand new, ultra-long range Boeing 777-200 takes off daily. Emirates' Dubai-bound birds also fly from Toronto {3 times weekly}, San Francisco, LA, Dallas, Houston, NYC and Washington DC.
Flying Emirates Business Class
Because I love peeping at different airlines' photos of First and Business Class, I thought I'd share snaps from my flight. If you book Emirates and have the chance to upgrade, do it. Otherwise, know this: economy on Emirates is like Delta or Alaska's domestic upper class {think actual cutlery, big screens, etc.}.
Seattle to Dubai Business Class seats
About to settle into my mini-pod for the flight between Seattle and Dubai, approx $8,000 return. A flute of Moet & Chandon is promptly offered; I oblige.
A 17" widescreen TV with 1,200+ channels of on-demand entertainment awaits, as does a game of Tetris {for those who love the mind bender with a strangely addictive soundtrack as much as me}.
Lie-flat seats in business class
Lie-flat seats extending 78 inches rest in mini-pods with basic privacy dividers. As I was about to fall asleep, I learned every business class seat is given a spongy, full-length mattress and pillow to help tired fliers count sheep. When the cabin lights are dimmed, the ceiling turns into a starry sky, like a planetarium.
Two meal services are provided on tray tables draped in linen with china tableware. It's important to note that the meal quality, even in economy, is fresh and extraordinarilyy well executed. Led by a Canadian chef, the Dubai-based Emirates in-flight catering facility crafts 120,000+ made-from-scratch meals per day for flights bound for their 128 worldwide destinations. For the freshest bites, meals are made within the same day and delivered to each flight less than two hours before take off. After my three-course cuisine in the clouds, I was given two Godiva chocolates.
All passengers are given female or male-specific Bvlgari toiletries with a perfume/cologne, face cream, hand cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush and comb combo, mirror, towelette and tissues.
Emirates' Business Class Lounge in Dubai
Finally, the Emirates Business Class Lounge at Dubai Airport {DBX} is massive---Super Bowl-sized, really---and includes a spa, a quiet area with leather loungers, multiple food and beverage dining options, and cushy seating.
First Class Suites
I snapped photos of the First Class Suites aboard my flight {which cost approx $14,000 return} before the section filled up.
Emirates' first class suites
On-demand beauty
On-demand drinks
Closed-door suites
[Most photos by @tripstyler (some courtesy of Emirates) taken while on a trip to Dubai sponsored by Emirates]